Quinoline oxadiazoles as cytoprotective agents

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are compounds of Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of their use for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a neurological disease, neurodegenerative disorder, or diabetes.

1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/361,482, filed Nov. 27, 2016 (pending) which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/260,512, filed Nov. 28, 2015, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

2. FIELD

Provided herein are novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use for promoting neuroprotection and cytoprotection, and/or inhibiting cell death.

3. BACKGROUND

Effective drugs that are disease modifying remain elusive for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), and diabetes including type I and type II. Majority of the approved medicines for these conditions treat the symptoms rather than targeting slowing or halting disease progression. Beta cell death is an accepted major causal feature of both diabetes. Cnop et al., Diabetes 2005, 54, S97-107. Neuron death is also the major cause of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Niikura et al., Curr. Neuropharmacol. 2006, 4, 139-147. Neuron death is also implicated in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Anglade et al., Histol. Histopathol. 1997, 12, 25-31.

A major cause of the cell death seen in diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders is a condition known as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Ozcan et al., Annu. Rev. Med. 2012, 63, 317-328. This ER stress is caused by abnormal calcium homeostasis, often caused by compromised function of the ER calcium pump, sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA). Krebs et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2015, 460, 114-121. Thus, an alternative approach to the treatment of neurodegeneration and diabetes is to target aberrant calcium signaling cascades that prove to be pathogenic. Stabilization of calcium signaling targets a pathogenic mechanism that is tied to many major features and risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. Rather than targeting a single endpoint this strategy aims to normalize calcium dyshomeostasis that has been recognized as a pathogenic accelerant in these diseases. Wang et al., J Cell Biol. 2012, 197, 857-867.

The ER is an organelle, which plays an essential role in multiple cellular processes that are central for cell survival and normal cellular functions. Those vital cellular processes include intracellular calcium homeostasis, protein secretion, and lipid biosynthesis. Anelli et al., EMBO J. 2008, 27, 315-327; Pizzo et al., Trends Cell Biol. 2007, 17, 511-517; Ma et al., J. Chem. Neuroanat. 2004, 28, 51-65.

Proper ER function and cellular health is dependent on the maintenance of a precise intracellular calcium balance of low cytosolic Ca²⁺ ion concentration coupled with high ER Ca²⁺ ion concentration. La Rovere, et al., Cell Calcium 2016, 60, 74-87; Rizzuto, et al. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2012, 13, 566-578; Reddish, et al. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18, 1024. Numerous diseases are associated with aberrant calcium homeostasis and transport. Mekahli, et al., Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Biol. 2011, 3, a004317.

Perturbation of ER homeostasis leads to accumulation of unfolded protein in the ER, triggering an evolutionarily conserved response known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Ron et al., Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2007, 8, 519-529; Malhotra et al., Semin. Cell Dev. Biol. 2007, 18, 716-731. Disturbances that lead to ER stress include, for example, disturbances in cellular redox regulation, glucose deprivation, aberration of calcium regulation in the ER, viral infection, high-fat diet, protein-inclusion-body diseases (e.g., chronic neurodegenerative diseases), and inclusion-body myositis. Kim et al., Nat. Rev. DrugDis. 2008, 7, 1013-1030; Ma et al., J. Chem. Neuroanat. 2004, 28, 51-65; Ozcan et al., Science 2004, 306, 457-461; Frand et al., Trends Cell Biol. 2000, 10, 203-3 10. ER stress has been linked to a wide range of diseases, including neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, polyglutamine disease, and prion disease), stroke, bipolar disorder, heart disease, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes (types 1 and 2), muscle degeneration, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune disease. Kim et al., Nat. Rev. Drug Dis. 2008, 7, 1013-1030; Oyadomari et al., Cell Death Differ. 2004, 11, 381-389.

Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA), is a major regulator of ER stress and glucose homeostasis in obesity. Park et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2010, 107, 19320-19325. Obesity disrupts intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and induces ER stress. Fu et al., Nature 2011, 473, 528-531. Chronic activation of ER stress has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes in obesity. Hotamisligil, Cell 2010, 140, 900-917; Kim et al., Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 2008, 7, 1013-1030. Restoration of SERCA expression in the liver of diabetic mice either via gene therapy or pharmacological activation reduced ER stress and improved the diabetic phenotype. Kang, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2016, 291, 5185-5198; Park, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2010, 107, 19320-19325. Restoration of Ca²⁺ homeostasis via SERCA activation has been shown to alleviate dyskinesia in a model of Parkinson's disease. Dahl, Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2017, 25, 53-57. SERCA activation has also been shown to improve memory and coordination in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Krajnak & Dahl, Bioorg. Med. Chem Lett. 2018, 28, 1591-1594. Therefore, there is a need for therapeutic agents capable of reducing ER stress or restoring ER calcium homeostasis for treating diabetes and neurodegeneration.

4. SUMMARY

This disclosure provides compositions and methods comprising compounds of Formula I.

or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof which are useful in promoting cytoprotection and/or inhibiting cell death. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof. The invention disclosed herein is also directed to a method of promoting the generation or survival of beta cells or neurons in a patient in need thereof in diabetes or neurodegenerative and related diseases.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 5.1. Definitions

To facilitate understanding of the disclosure set forth herein, a number of terms are defined below.

Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology described herein are those well known and commonly employed in the art. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein generally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

The term “subject” refers to an animal, including, but not limited to, a primate (e.g., human), cow, pig, sheep, goat, horse, dog, cat, rabbit, rat, or mouse. The terms “subject” and “patient” are used interchangeably herein in reference, for example, to a mammalian subject. In one embodiment, the subject is a human.

The terms “treat,” “treating,” and “treatment” are meant to include alleviating or abrogating a disorder, disease, or condition, or one or more symptoms of the disorder, disease, or condition; or alleviating or eradicating the cause(s) of the disorder, disease, or condition itself.

The terms “prevent,” “preventing,” and “prevention” are meant to include a method of delaying and/or precluding the onset of a disorder, disease, or condition, and/or its attendant symptoms; barring a subject from acquiring a disorder, disease, or condition; or reducing a subject's risk of acquiring a disorder, disease, or condition.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” is meant to include the amount of a compound that, when administered, is sufficient to prevent development of, or alleviate to some extent, one or more symptoms of the disorder, disease, or condition being treated. The term “therapeutically effective amount” also refers to the amount of a compound that is sufficient to elicit the biological or medical response of a biological molecule (e.g., a protein, enzyme, RNA, or DNA), cell, tissue, system, animal, or human, which is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor, or clinician.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,” “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,” “physiologically acceptable carrier,” or “physiologically acceptable excipient” refers to a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition, or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, solvent, or encapsulating material. In one embodiment, each component is “pharmaceutically acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with other ingredients of a pharmaceutical formulation, and suitable for use in contact with the tissue or organ of humans and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, immunogenicity, or other problems or complications, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. See, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia, Pa., 2005; Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 7th Edition, Rowe et al., Eds., The Pharmaceutical Press and the American Pharmaceutical Association: 2012; Handbook of Pharmaceutical Additives, 3rd Edition, Ash and Ash Eds., Gower Publishing Company: 2007; and Pharmaceutical Preformulation and Formulation, 2nd Edition, Gibson Ed., CRC Press LLC: Boca Raton, Fla., 2009.

The term “about” or “approximately” means an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 50%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

The terms “active ingredient” and “active substance” refer to a compound, which is administered, alone or in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, to a subject for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a disorder, disease, or condition. As used herein, “active ingredient” and “active substance” may be an optically active isomer of a compound described herein.

The terms “drug,” “therapeutic agent,” and “chemotherapeutic agent” refer to a compound or a pharmaceutical composition thereof, which is administered to a subject for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a disorder, disease, or condition.

The term “endoplasmic reticulum stress” or “ER stress” refers to perturbation of endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, e.g., perturbation of the protein folding functionality of the endoplasmic reticulum.

The term “naturally occurring” or “native” when used in connection with a biological material, such as a nucleic acid (e.g., a DNA or RNA), a polypeptide, and a host cell, refers to a material which is found in nature and is not manipulated by man. Similarly, “non-naturally occurring” or “non-native” refers to a material that is not found in nature or that has been structurally modified or synthesized by man.

The term “SERCA” or “sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase” refers to a sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase or a variant thereof. The term “SERCA variant” is intended to include proteins substantially homologous to a native SERCA, i.e., proteins having one or more naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid deletions, insertions, or substitutions (e.g., SERCA derivatives, homologs, and fragments), as compared to the amino acid sequence of a native SERCA. The amino acid sequence of a SERCA variant is at least about 80% identical, at least about 90% identical, or at least about 95% identical to a native SERCA. SERCA enzymes are classified into at least three classes: SERCA1, SERCA2, and SERCA3. Stutzmann et al., Pharmacol. Rev. 2011, 63, 700-727; Andersen et al., Acta Physiol. Scand. Suppl. 1998, 643, 45-54. Class I includes SERCA1a and SERCA1b. Class II includes SERCA2a and SERCA2b. Class III includes SERCA3a, SERCA3b, and SERCA3c.

The terms “SERCA-mediated disorder, disease, or condition” and “a disorder, disease, or condition mediated by SERCA” refer to a disorder, disease, or condition in which modulation of a SERCA activity results in some effect on the underlying disorder, disease, or condition, e.g., a SERCA agonist results in some improvement in at least some of patients being treated.

The term “alkyl” refers to a linear or branched saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein. The term “alkyl” also encompasses both linear and branched alkyl, unless otherwise specified. In certain embodiments, the alkyl is a linear saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical that has 1 to 20 (C₁₋₂₀), 1 to 15 (C₁₋₁₅), 1 to 10 (C₁₋₁₀), or 1 to 6 (C₁₋₆) carbon atoms, or branched saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 3 to 20 (C₃₋₂₀), 3 to 15 (C₃₋₁₅), 3 to 10 (C₃₋₁₀), or 3 to 6 (C₃₋₆) carbon atoms. As used herein, linear C₁₋₆ and branched C₃₋₆ alkyl groups are also referred as “lower alkyl.” Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl (including all isomeric forms), n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl (including all isomeric forms), n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl (including all isomeric forms), and hexyl (including all isomeric forms). For example, C₁₋₆ alkyl refers to a linear saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a branched saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

The term “alkenyl” refers to a linear or branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical, which contains one or more, in one embodiment, one, two, three, four, or five, in another embodiment, one, carbon-carbon double bond(s). In certain embodiments, the alkenyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein. The term “alkenyl” also embraces radicals having “cis” and “trans” configurations, or alternatively, “Z” and “E” configurations, as appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein, the term “alkenyl” encompasses both linear and branched alkenyl, unless otherwise specified. For example, C₂₋₆ alkenyl refers to a linear unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a branched unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, the alkenyl is a linear monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 2 to 20 (C₂₋₂₀), 2 to 15 (C₂₋₁₅), 2 to 10 (C₂₋₁₀), or 2 to 6 (C₂₋₆) carbon atoms, or a branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 3 to 20 (C₃₋₂₀), 3 to 15 (C₃₋₁₅), 3 to 10 (C₃₋₁₀), or 3 to 6 (C₃₋₆) carbon atoms. Examples of alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, propen-1-yl, propen-2-yl, allyl, butenyl, and 4-methylbutenyl.

The term “alkynyl” refers to a linear or branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical, which contains one or more, in one embodiment, one, two, three, four, or five, in another embodiment, one, carbon-carbon triple bond(s). In certain embodiments, the alkynyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein. The term “alkynyl” also encompasses both linear and branched alkynyl, unless otherwise specified. In certain embodiments, the alkynyl is a linear monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 2 to 20 (C₂₋₂₀), 2 to 15 (C₂₋₁₅), 2 to 10 (C₂₋₁₀), or 2 to 6 (C₂₋₆) carbon atoms, or a branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 3 to 20 (C₃₋₂₀), 3 to 15 (C₃₋₁₅), 3 to 10 (C₃-10), or 3 to 6 (C₃₋₆) carbon atoms. Examples of alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl (—C≡CH) and propargyl (—CH₂C≡CH). For example, C₂₋₆ alkynyl refers to a linear unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a branched unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to a cyclic saturated or non-aromatic unsaturated, bridged or non-bridged monovalent hydrocarbon radical, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein. In certain embodiments, the cycloalkyl is a cyclic saturated bridged or non-bridged monovalent hydrocarbon radical. In certain embodiments, the cycloalkyl has from 3 to 20 (C₃₋₂₀), from 3 to 15 (C₃₋₁₅), from 3 to 10 (C₃₋₁₀), or from 3 to 7 (C₃₋₇) carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, bicyclo[2.1.1]hexyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, decalinyl, and adamantyl.

The term “aryl” refers to a monocyclic aromatic group and/or multicyclic monovalent aromatic group that contain at least one aromatic hydrocarbon ring. In certain embodiments, the aryl has from 6 to 20 (C₆₋₂₀), from 6 to 15 (C₆₋₁₅), or from 6 to 10 (C₆₋₁₀) ring atoms. Examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, fluorenyl, azulenyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, pyrenyl, biphenyl, and terphenyl. In certain embodiments, the term “aryl” refers to a bicyclic or tricyclic carbon ring, where one of the rings is aromatic and the others of which may be saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic, for example, dihydronaphthyl, indenyl, indanyl, or tetrahydronaphthyl (tetralinyl). In certain embodiments, the aryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein.

The term “aralkyl” or “arylalkyl” refers to a monovalent alkyl group substituted with one or more aryl groups. In certain embodiments, the aralkyl has from 7 to 30 (C₇₋₃₀), from 7 to 20 (C₇₋₂₀), or from 7 to 16 (C₇₋₁₆) carbon atoms. Examples of aralkyl groups include, but are not limited to, benzyl, 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl, and 3-phenylpropyl. In certain embodiments, the aralkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a monovalent monocyclic aromatic group or monovalent polycyclic aromatic group that contain at least one aromatic ring, wherein at least one aromatic ring contains one or more heteroatoms, each of which is independently selected from O, S, N, and P, in the ring. A heteroaryl group is bonded to the rest of a molecule through its aromatic ring. Each ring of a heteroaryl group can contain one or two O atoms, one or two S atoms, one to four N atoms, and/or one or two P atoms, provided that the total number of heteroatoms in each ring is four or less and each ring contains at least one carbon atom. In certain embodiments, the heteroaryl has from 5 to 20, from 5 to 15, or from 5 to 10 ring atoms. Examples of monocyclic heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, furanyl, imidazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, tetrazolyl, triazinyl, and triazolyl. Examples of bicyclic heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoisoxazolyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzotriazolyl, benzoxazolyl, furopyridyl, imidazopyridinyl, imidazothiazolyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, indazolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isobenzothienyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyridopyridyl, pyrrolopyridyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, thiadiazolopyrimidyl, and thienopyridyl. Examples of tricyclic heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, acridinyl, benzindolyl, carbazolyl, dibenzofuranyl, perimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenanthridinyl, phenarsazinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, and xanthenyl. In certain embodiments, the heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein.

The term “heterocyclyl” or “heterocyclic” refers to a monovalent monocyclic non-aromatic ring system or monovalent polycyclic ring system that contains at least one non-aromatic ring, wherein one or more of the non-aromatic ring atoms are heteroatoms, each of which is independently selected from O, S, N, and P; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, the heterocyclyl or heterocyclic group has from 3 to 20, from 3 to 15, from 3 to 10, from 3 to 8, from 4 to 7, or from 5 to 6 ring atoms. A heterocyclyl group is bonded to the rest of a molecule through its non-aromatic ring. In certain embodiments, the heterocyclyl is a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, or tetracyclic ring system, which may be spiro, fused, or bridged, and in which nitrogen or sulfur atoms may be optionally oxidized, nitrogen atoms may be optionally quaternized, and some rings may be partially or fully saturated, or aromatic. The heterocyclyl may be attached to the main structure at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in the creation of a stable compound. Examples of heterocyclic groups include, but are not limited to, azepinyl, benzodioxanyl, benzodioxolyl, benzofuranonyl, benzopyranonyl, benzopyranyl, benzotetrahydrofuranyl, benzotetrahydrothienyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzoxazinyl, β-carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromonyl, cinnolinyl, coumarinyl, decahydroisoquinolinyl, dihydrobenzisothiazinyl, dihydrobenzisoxazinyl, dihydrofuryl, dihydroisoindolyl, dihydropyranyl, dihydropyrazolyl, dihydropyrazinyl, dihydropyridinyl, dihydropyrimidinyl, dihydropyrrolyl, dioxolanyl, 1,4-dithianyl, furanonyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, indolinyl, isobenzotetrahydrofuranyl, isobenzotetrahydrothienyl, isochromanyl, isocoumarinyl, isoindolinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, octahydroindolyl, octahydroisoindolyl, oxazolidinonyl, oxazolidinyl, oxiranyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, quinuclidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, and 1,3,5-trithianyl. In certain embodiments, the heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q as described herein.

The term “halogen”, “halide” or “halo” refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and/or iodine.

The term “optionally substituted” is intended to mean that a group or substituent, such as an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl group, may be substituted with one or more substituents Q, each of which is independently selected from, e.g., (a) oxo (═O), cyano (—CN), halo, and nitro (—NO₂); (b) C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, C₇₋₁₅ aralkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl, each of which is further optionally substituted with one or more, in one embodiment, one, two, three, four, or five, substituents Q^(a); and (c) —C(O)R^(a), —C(O)OR^(a), —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —C(NR^(a))NR^(b)R^(c), —OR^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), —OC(O)OR^(a), —OC(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —OC(═NR^(a))NR^(b)R^(c), —OS(O)R^(a), —OS(O)₂R^(a), —OS(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —OS(O)₂NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(a)C(O)R^(d), —NR^(a)C(O)OR^(d), —NR^(a)C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(a)C(═NR^(d))NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(a)S(O)R^(d), —NR^(a)S(O)₂R^(d), —NR^(a)S(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(a)S(O)₂NR^(b)R^(c), —P(O)R^(a)R^(d), —P(O)(OR^(a))R^(d), —P(O)(OR^(a))(OR^(d)), —SR^(a), —S(O)R^(a), —S(O)₂R^(a), —S(O)NR^(b)R^(c), and —S(O)₂NR^(b)R^(c), wherein each R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d) is independently (i) hydrogen; (ii) C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, C₇₋₁₅ aralkyl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or more, in one embodiment, one, two, three, or four, substituents Q^(a); or (iii) R^(b) and R^(c) together with the N atom to which they are attached form heteroaryl or heterocyclyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or more, in one embodiment, one, two, three, or four, substituents Q^(a). As used herein, all groups described herein that can be substituted are “optionally substituted,” unless otherwise specified.

In one embodiment, each substituent Q^(a) is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) oxo, cyano, halo, and nitro; and (b) C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, C₇₋₁₅ aralkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl; and (c) —C(O)R^(e), —C(O)OR^(e), —C(O)NR^(f)R^(g), —C(NR^(e))NR^(f)R^(g), —OR^(e), —OC(O)R^(e), —OC(O)OR^(e), —OC(O)NR^(f)R^(g), —OC(═NR^(e))NR^(f)R^(g), —OS(O)R^(e), —OS(O)₂R^(e), —OS(O)NR^(f)R^(g), —OS(O)₂NR^(f)R^(g), —NR^(f)R^(g), —NR^(e)C(O)R^(h), —NR^(e)C(O)OR^(h), —NR^(e)C(O)NR^(f)R^(g), —NR^(e)C(═NR^(h))NR^(f)R^(g), —NR^(e)S(O)R^(h), —NR^(e)S(O)₂R^(h), —NR^(e)S(O)NR^(f)R^(g), —NR^(e)S(O)₂NR^(f)R^(g), —P(O)R^(e)R^(h), —P(O)(OR^(e))R^(h), —P(O)(OR^(e))(OR^(h)), —SR^(e), —S(O)R^(e), —S(O)₂R^(e), —S(O)NR^(f)R^(g), and —S(O)₂NR^(f)R^(g); wherein each R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), and R^(h) is independently (i) hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, C₇₋₁₅ aralkyl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl; or (ii) R^(f) and R^(g) together with the N atom to which they are attached form heteroaryl or heterocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, “optically active” and “enantiomerically active” refer to a collection of molecules, which has an enantiomeric excess of no less than about 50%, no less than about 70%, no less than about 80%, no less than about 90%, no less than about 91%, no less than about 92%, no less than about 93%, no less than about 94%, no less than about 95%, no less than about 96%, no less than about 97%, no less than about 98%, no less than about 99%, no less than about 99.5%, or no less than about 99.8%. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises about 95% or more of the desired enantiomer and about 5% or less of the less preferred enantiomer based on the total weight of the two enantiomers in question.

In describing an optically active compound, the prefixes R and S are used to denote the absolute configuration of the optically active compound about its chiral center(s). The (+) and (−) are used to denote the optical rotation of an optically active compound, that is, the direction in which a plane of polarized light is rotated by the optically active compound. The (−) prefix indicates that an optically active compound is levorotatory, that is, the compound rotates the plane of polarized light to the left or counterclockwise. The (+) prefix indicates that an optically active compound is dextrorotatory, that is, the compound rotates the plane of polarized light to the right or clockwise. However, the sign of optical rotation, (+) and (−), is not related to the absolute configuration of a compound, R and S.

The term “isotopic variant” refers to a compound that contains an unnatural proportion of an isotope at one or more of the atoms that constitute such a compound. In certain embodiments, an “isotopic variant” of a compound contains unnatural proportions of one or more isotopes, including, but not limited to, hydrogen (¹H), deuterium (²H), tritium (³H), carbon-11 (¹¹C), carbon-12 (¹²C), carbon-13 (¹³C), carbon-14 (¹⁴C), nitrogen-13 (¹³N), nitrogen-14 (¹⁴N), nitrogen-15 (¹⁵N), oxygen-14 (¹⁴O), oxygen-15 (¹⁵O), oxygen-16 (¹⁶O), oxygen-17 (¹⁷O), oxygen-18 (¹⁸O), fluorine-17 (¹⁷F), fluorine-18 (¹⁸F), phosphorus-31 (³¹P), phosphorus-32 (³²P), phosphorus-33 (³³P), sulfur-32 (³²S), sulfur-33 (³³S), sulfur-34 (³⁴S), sulfur-35 (³⁵S), sulfur-36 (³⁶S), chlorine-35 (³⁵Cl), chlorine-36 (³⁶Cl), chlorine-37 (³⁷Cl), bromine-79 (⁷⁹Br), bromine-81 (⁸¹Br), iodine-123 (¹²³I), iodine-125 (¹²⁵I), iodine-127 (¹²⁷I), iodine-129 (¹²⁹I), and iodine-131 (¹³¹I). In certain embodiments, an “isotopic variant” of a compound is in a stable form, that is, non-radioactive. In certain embodiments, an “isotopic variant” of a compound contains unnatural proportions of one or more isotopes, including, but not limited to, hydrogen (¹H), deuterium (²H), carbon-12 (¹²C), carbon-13 (¹³C), nitrogen-14 (¹⁴N), nitrogen-15 (¹⁵N), oxygen-16 (¹⁶O), oxygen-17 (¹⁷O), oxygen-18 (¹⁸O), fluorine-17 (¹⁷F), phosphorus-31 (³¹P), sulfur-32 (³²S), sulfur-33 (³³S), sulfur-34 (³⁴S), sulfur-36 (³⁶S), chlorine-35 (³⁵Cl), chlorine-37 (³⁷Cl), bromine-79 (⁷⁹Br), bromine-81 (⁸¹Br), and iodine-127 (¹²⁷I). In certain embodiments, an “isotopic variant” of a compound is in an unstable form, that is, radioactive. In certain embodiments, an “isotopic variant” of a compound contains unnatural proportions of one or more isotopes, including, but not limited to, tritium (³H), carbon-11 (¹¹C), carbon-14 (¹⁴C), nitrogen-13 (¹³N), oxygen-14 (¹⁴O), oxygen-15 (¹⁵O), fluorine-18 (¹⁸F), phosphorus-32 (³²P), phosphorus-33 (³³P), sulfur-35 (³⁵S), chlorine-36 (³⁶Cl), iodine-123 (¹²³I), iodine-125 (¹²⁵I) iodine-129 (¹²⁹I), and iodine-131 (¹³¹I). It will be understood that, in a compound as provided herein, any hydrogen can be ²H, for example, or any carbon can be ¹³C, for example, or any nitrogen can be ¹⁵N, for example, or any oxygen can be ¹⁸O, for example, where feasible according to the judgment of one of skill. In certain embodiments, an “isotopic variant” of a compound contains unnatural proportions of deuterium (D).

The term “solvate” refers to a complex or aggregate formed by one or more molecules of a solute, e.g., a compound provided herein, and one or more molecules of a solvent, which present in a stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric amount. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, and acetic acid. In certain embodiments, the solvent is pharmaceutically acceptable. In one embodiment, the complex or aggregate is in a crystalline form. In another embodiment, the complex or aggregate is in a noncrystalline form. Where the solvent is water, the solvate is a hydrate. Examples of hydrates include, but are not limited to, a hemihydrate, monohydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate, and pentahydrate.

The phrase “an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof” has the same meaning as the phrase “(i) an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant of the compound referenced therein; (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate of the compound referenced therein; or (iii) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate of an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant of the compound referenced therein.”

5.2. Compounds

Provided herein is a compound of Formula I:

or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof; wherein:

R² is methyl;

R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are each independently (a) hydrogen, cyano, or halo or (b) C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl with the proviso that R³ and R⁷ are not concurrently Cl; and

R¹ is aryl or heteroaryl.

In one embodiment, provided herein is a compound selected from the group consisting of:

and isotopic variants thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein show activity as agonists of a SERCA. In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein show activity as allosteric SERCA modulators. In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein show activity as agonists of a SERCA2b. In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein show activity as allosteric SERCA2b modulators.

In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein show activity in reducing ER stress. In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein show activity in increasing the Ca²⁺ concentration of an ER.

The compounds provided herein are intended to encompass all possible stereoisomers, unless a particular stereochemistry is specified. Where the compound provided herein contains an alkenyl or alkenylene group, the compound may exist as one or mixture of geometric cis/trans (or Z/E) isomers. Where structural isomers are interconvertible, the compound may exist as a single tautomer or a mixture of tautomers. This can take the form of proton tautomerism in the compound that contains, for example, an imino, keto, or oxime group; or so-called valence tautomerism in the compound that contain an aromatic moiety. It follows that a single compound may exhibit more than one type of isomerism.

The compounds provided herein may be enantiomerically pure, such as a single enantiomer or a single diastereomer, or be stereoisomeric mixtures, such as a mixture of enantiomers, e.g., a racemic mixture of two enantiomers; or a mixture of two or more diastereomers. As such, one of skill in the art will recognize that administration of a compound in its (R) form is equivalent, for compounds that undergo epimerization in vivo, to administration of the compound in its (S) form. Conventional techniques for the preparation/isolation of individual enantiomers include synthesis from a suitable optically pure precursor, asymmetric synthesis from achiral starting materials, or resolution of an enantiomeric mixture, for example, chiral chromatography, recrystallization, resolution, diastereomeric salt formation, or derivatization into diastereomeric adducts followed by separation.

When a compound provided herein contains an acidic or basic moiety, it may also be provided as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt (See, Berge et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 1977, 66, 1-19; and “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts, Properties, and Use,” Stahl and Wermuth, Ed.; Wiley-VCH and VHCA, Zurich, 2002).

Suitable acids for use in the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, acetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, acylated amino acids, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, L-aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, boric acid, (+)-camphoric acid, camphorsulfonic acid, (+)-(1S)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclamic acid, cyclohexanesulfamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid, D-gluconic acid, D-glucuronic acid, L-glutamic acid, α-oxoglutaric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, hydroiodic acid, (+)-L-lactic acid, (±)-DL-lactic acid, lactobionic acid, lauric acid, maleic acid, (−)-L-malic acid, malonic acid, (±)-DL-mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid, nitric acid, oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, perchloric acid, phosphoric acid, L-pyroglutamic acid, saccharic acid, salicylic acid, 4-amino-salicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, sulfuric acid, tannic acid, (+)-L-tartaric acid, thiocyanic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, undecylenic acid, and valeric acid.

Suitable bases for use in the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, include, but are not limited to, inorganic bases, such as magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, or sodium hydroxide; and organic bases, such as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary, aliphatic and aromatic amines, including, but not limited to, L-arginine, benethamine, benzathine, choline, deanol, diethanolamine, diethylamine, dimethylamine, dipropylamine, diisopropylamine, 2-(diethylamino)-ethanol, ethanolamine, ethylamine, ethylenediamine, isopropylamine, N-methyl-glucamine, hydrabamine, 1H-imidazole, L-lysine, morpholine, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-morpholine, methylamine, piperidine, piperazine, propylamine, pyrrolidine, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine, pyridine, quinuclidine, quinoline, isoquinoline, secondary amines, triethanolamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, and tromethamine.

5.3. Methods of Synthesis

The compounds provided herein can be prepared, isolated, or obtained by any methods known to one of skill in the art, and the following examples are only representative and do not exclude other related procedures.

In one embodiment, for example, a compound of Formula I is prepared, as shown in Scheme 1 to form compound I.

5.4. Pharmaceutical Compositions

In one embodiment, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound provided herein, including a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition provided herein is formulated in a dosage form for oral administration, which comprises a compound provided herein, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition for oral administration is formulated in tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid form.

In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition provided herein is formulated in a dosage form for parenteral administration, which comprises a compound provided herein, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

In yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition provided herein is formulated in a dosage form for topical administration, which comprises a compound provided herein, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition provided herein is formulated as modified release dosage forms, including delayed-, extended-, prolonged-, sustained-, pulsatile-, controlled-, accelerated-, fast-, targeted-, and programmed-release, and gastric retention dosage forms. These dosage forms can be prepared according to conventional methods and techniques known to those skilled in the art (see, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, supra; Modified-Release Drug Delivery Technology, 2nd Edition, Rathbone et al., Eds., Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York, N.Y., 2008).

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition provided herein is provided in a unit-dosage form or multiple-dosage form. A unit-dosage form, as used herein, refers to physically discrete a unit suitable for administration to a human and animal subject, and packaged individually as is known in the art. Each unit-dose contains a predetermined quantity of an active ingredient(s) sufficient to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with the required pharmaceutical carriers or excipients. Examples of a unit-dosage form include an ampoule, syringe, and individually packaged tablet and capsule. A unit-dosage form may be administered in fractions or multiples thereof. A multiple-dosage form is a plurality of identical unit-dosage forms packaged in a single container to be administered in segregated unit-dosage form. Examples of a multiple-dosage form include a vial, bottle of tablets or capsules, or bottle of pints or gallons.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered at once, or multiple times at intervals of time. It is understood that the precise dosage and duration of treatment may vary with the age, weight, and condition of the patient being treated, and may be determined empirically using known testing protocols or by extrapolation from in vivo or in vitro test or diagnostic data. It is further understood that for any particular individual, specific dosage regimens should be adjusted over time according to the individual need and the professional judgment of the person administering or supervising the administration of the formulations.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein further comprise one or more therapeutic agents (e.g., chemotherapeutic agents) as defined herein.

5.4.1. Oral Administration

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for oral administration can be provided in solid, semisolid, or liquid dosage forms for oral administration. As used herein, oral administration also includes buccal, lingual, and sublingual administration. Suitable oral dosage forms include, but are not limited to, tablets, fastmelts, chewable tablets, capsules, pills, strips, troches, lozenges, pastilles, cachets, pellets, medicated chewing gum, bulk powders, effervescent or non-effervescent powders or granules, oral mists, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, wafers, sprinkles, elixirs, and syrups. In addition to the active ingredient(s), the pharmaceutical compositions can contain one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, including, but not limited to, binders, fillers, diluents, disintegrants, wetting agents, lubricants, glidants, coloring agents, dye-migration inhibitors, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, emulsifying agents, suspending and dispersing agents, preservatives, solvents, non-aqueous liquids, organic acids, and sources of carbon dioxide.

Binders or granulators impart cohesiveness to a tablet to ensure the tablet remaining intact after compression. Suitable binders or granulators include, but are not limited to, starches, such as corn starch, potato starch, and pre-gelatinized starch (e.g., STARCH 1500); gelatin; sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, dextrose, molasses, and lactose; natural and synthetic gums, such as acacia, alginic acid, alginates, extract of Irish moss, panwar gum, ghatti gum, mucilage of isabgol husks, carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Veegum, larch arabogalactan, powdered tragacanth, and guar gum; celluloses, such as ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC); microcrystalline celluloses, such as AVICEL-PH-101, AVICEL-PH-103, AVICEL RC-581, AVICEL-PH-105 (FMC Corp., Marcus Hook, Pa.); and mixtures thereof. Suitable fillers include, but are not limited to, talc, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, dextrates, kaolin, mannitol, silicic acid, sorbitol, starch, pre-gelatinized starch, and mixtures thereof. The amount of a binder or filler in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein varies upon the type of formulation, and is readily discernible to those of ordinary skill in the art. The binder or filler may be present from about 50 to about 99% by weight in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein.

Suitable diluents include, but are not limited to, dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, lactose, sorbitol, sucrose, inositol, cellulose, kaolin, mannitol, sodium chloride, dry starch, and powdered sugar. Certain diluents, such as mannitol, lactose, sorbitol, sucrose, and inositol, when present in sufficient quantity, can impart properties to some compressed tablets that permit disintegration in the mouth by chewing. Such compressed tablets can be used as chewable tablets. The amount of a diluent in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein varies upon the type of formulation, and is readily discernible to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Suitable disintegrants include, but are not limited to, agar; bentonite; celluloses, such as methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose; wood products; natural sponge; cation-exchange resins; alginic acid; gums, such as guar gum and Veegum HV; citrus pulp; cross-linked celluloses, such as croscarmellose; cross-linked polymers, such as crospovidone; cross-linked starches; calcium carbonate; microcrystalline cellulose, such as sodium starch glycolate; polacrilin potassium; starches, such as corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, and pre-gelatinized starch; clays; aligns; and mixtures thereof. The amount of a disintegrant in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein varies upon the type of formulation, and is readily discernible to those of ordinary skill in the art. The amount of a disintegrant in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein varies upon the type of formulation, and is readily discernible to those of ordinary skill in the art. The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein may contain from about 0.5 to about 15% or from about 1 to about 5% by weight of a disintegrant.

Suitable lubricants include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate; magnesium stearate; mineral oil; light mineral oil; glycerin; sorbitol; mannitol; glycols, such as glycerol behenate and polyethylene glycol (PEG); stearic acid; sodium lauryl sulfate; talc; hydrogenated vegetable oil, including peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil; zinc stearate; ethyl oleate; ethyl laureate; agar; starch; lycopodium; silica or silica gels, such as AEROSIL® 200 (W.R. Grace Co., Baltimore, Md.) and CAB-O-SIL® (Cabot Co. of Boston, Mass.); and mixtures thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein may contain about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of a lubricant.

Suitable glidants include, but are not limited to, colloidal silicon dioxide, CAB—O-SIL® (Cabot Co. of Boston, Mass.), and asbestos-free talc. Suitable coloring agents include, but are not limited to, any of the approved, certified, water soluble FD&C dyes, and water insoluble FD&C dyes suspended on alumina hydrate, and color lakes and mixtures thereof. A color lake is the combination by adsorption of a water-soluble dye to a hydrous oxide of a heavy metal, resulting in an insoluble form of the dye. Suitable flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, natural flavors extracted from plants, such as fruits, and synthetic blends of compounds which produce a pleasant taste sensation, such as peppermint and methyl salicylate. Suitable sweetening agents include, but are not limited to, sucrose, lactose, mannitol, syrups, glycerin, and artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin and aspartame. Suitable emulsifying agents include, but are not limited to, gelatin, acacia, tragacanth, bentonite, and surfactants, such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN® 20), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate 80 (TWEEN® 80), and triethanolamine oleate. Suitable suspending and dispersing agents include, but are not limited to, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, tragacanth, Veegum, acacia, sodium carbomethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and polyvinylpyrrolid one. Suitable preservatives include, but are not limited to, glycerin, methyl and propylparaben, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate and alcohol. Suitable wetting agents include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, diethylene glycol monolaurate, and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, glycerin, sorbitol, ethyl alcohol, and syrup. Suitable non-aqueous liquids utilized in emulsions include, but are not limited to, mineral oil and cottonseed oil. Suitable organic acids include, but are not limited to, citric and tartaric acid. Suitable sources of carbon dioxide include, but are not limited to, sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate.

It should be understood that many carriers and excipients may serve several functions, even within the same formulation.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for oral administration can be provided as compressed tablets, tablet triturates, chewable lozenges, rapidly dissolving tablets, multiple compressed tablets, or enteric-coating tablets, sugar-coated, or film-coated tablets. Enteric-coated tablets are compressed tablets coated with substances that resist the action of stomach acid but dissolve or disintegrate in the intestine, thus protecting the active ingredients from the acidic environment of the stomach. Enteric-coatings include, but are not limited to, fatty acids, fats, phenyl salicylate, waxes, shellac, ammoniated shellac, and cellulose acetate phthalates. Sugar-coated tablets are compressed tablets surrounded by a sugar coating, which may be beneficial in covering up objectionable tastes or odors and in protecting the tablets from oxidation. Film-coated tablets are compressed tablets that are covered with a thin layer or film of a water-soluble material. Film coatings include, but are not limited to, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol 4000, and cellulose acetate phthalate. Film coating imparts the same general characteristics as sugar coating. Multiple compressed tablets are compressed tablets made by more than one compression cycle, including layered tablets, and press-coated or dry-coated tablets.

The tablet dosage forms can be prepared from the active ingredient in powdered, crystalline, or granular forms, alone or in combination with one or more carriers or excipients described herein, including binders, disintegrants, controlled-release polymers, lubricants, diluents, and/or colorants. Flavoring and sweetening agents are especially useful in the formation of chewable tablets and lozenges.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for oral administration can be provided as soft or hard capsules, which can be made from gelatin, methylcellulose, starch, or calcium alginate. The hard gelatin capsule, also known as the dry-filled capsule (DFC), consists of two sections, one slipping over the other, thus completely enclosing the active ingredient. The soft elastic capsule (SEC) is a soft, globular shell, such as a gelatin shell, which is plasticized by the addition of glycerin, sorbitol, or a similar polyol. The soft gelatin shells may contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Suitable preservatives are those as described herein, including methyl- and propyl-parabens, and sorbic acid. The liquid, semisolid, and solid dosage forms provided herein may be encapsulated in a capsule. Suitable liquid and semisolid dosage forms include solutions and suspensions in propylene carbonate, vegetable oils, or triglycerides. Capsules containing such solutions can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,328,245; 4,409,239; and 4,410,545. The capsules may also be coated as known by those of skill in the art in order to modify or sustain dissolution of the active ingredient.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for oral administration can be provided in liquid and semisolid dosage forms, including emulsions, solutions, suspensions, elixirs, and syrups. An emulsion is a two-phase system, in which one liquid is dispersed in the form of small globules throughout another liquid, which can be oil-in-water or water-in-oil. Emulsions may include a pharmaceutically acceptable non-aqueous liquid or solvent, emulsifying agent, and preservative. Suspensions may include a pharmaceutically acceptable suspending agent and preservative. Aqueous alcoholic solutions may include a pharmaceutically acceptable acetal, such as a di(lower alkyl) acetal of a lower alkyl aldehyde, e.g., acetaldehyde diethyl acetal; and a water-miscible solvent having one or more hydroxyl groups, such as propylene glycol and ethanol. Elixirs are clear, sweetened, and hydroalcoholic solutions. Syrups are concentrated aqueous solutions of a sugar, for example, sucrose, and may also contain a preservative. For a liquid dosage form, for example, a solution in a polyethylene glycol may be diluted with a sufficient quantity of a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier, e.g., water, to be measured conveniently for administration.

Other useful liquid and semisolid dosage forms include, but are not limited to, those containing the active ingredient(s) provided herein, and a dialkylated mono- or poly-alkylene glycol, including, 1,2-dimethoxymethane, diglyme, triglyme, tetraglyme, polyethylene glycol-350-dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycol-550-dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycol-750-dimethyl ether, wherein 350, 550, and 750 refer to the approximate average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol. These formulations can further comprise one or more antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate, vitamin E, hydroquinone, hydroxycoumarins, ethanolamine, lecithin, cephalin, ascorbic acid, malic acid, sorbitol, phosphoric acid, bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, thiodipropionic acid and its esters, and dithiocarbamates.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for oral administration can be also provided in the forms of liposomes, micelles, microspheres, or nanosystems. Micellar dosage forms can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,458.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for oral administration can be provided as non-effervescent or effervescent, granules and powders, to be reconstituted into a liquid dosage form. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients used in the non-effervescent granules or powders may include diluents, sweeteners, and wetting agents. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients used in the effervescent granules or powders may include organic acids and a source of carbon dioxide.

Coloring and flavoring agents can be used in all of the above dosage forms.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for oral administration can be formulated as immediate or modified release dosage forms, including delayed-, sustained, pulsed-, controlled, targeted-, and programmed-release forms.

5.4.2. Parenteral Administration

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered parenterally by injection, infusion, or implantation, for local or systemic administration. Parenteral administration, as used herein, include intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, intraventricular, intraurethral, intrasternal, intracranial, intramuscular, intrasynovial, intravesical, and subcutaneous administration.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for parenteral administration can be formulated in any dosage forms that are suitable for parenteral administration, including solutions, suspensions, emulsions, micelles, liposomes, microspheres, nanosystems, and solid forms suitable for solutions or suspensions in liquid prior to injection. Such dosage forms can be prepared according to conventional methods known to those skilled in the art of pharmaceutical science (see, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, supra).

The pharmaceutical compositions intended for parenteral administration can include one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients, including, but not limited to, aqueous vehicles, water-miscible vehicles, non-aqueous vehicles, antimicrobial agents or preservatives against the growth of microorganisms, stabilizers, solubility enhancers, isotonic agents, buffering agents, antioxidants, local anesthetics, suspending and dispersing agents, wetting or emulsifying agents, complexing agents, sequestering or chelating agents, cryoprotectants, lyoprotectants, thickening agents, pH adjusting agents, and inert gases.

Suitable aqueous vehicles include, but are not limited to, water, saline, physiological saline or phosphate buffered saline (PBS), sodium chloride injection, Ringers injection, isotonic dextrose injection, sterile water injection, dextrose and lactated Ringers injection. Suitable non-aqueous vehicles include, but are not limited to, fixed oils of vegetable origin, castor oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, peppermint oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated vegetable oils, hydrogenated soybean oil, and medium-chain triglycerides of coconut oil, and palm seed oil. Suitable water-miscible vehicles include, but are not limited to, ethanol, 1,3-butanediol, liquid polyethylene glycol (e.g., polyethylene glycol 300 and polyethylene glycol 400), propylene glycol, glycerin, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide.

Suitable antimicrobial agents or preservatives include, but are not limited to, phenols, cresols, mercurials, benzyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, methyl and propyl p-hydroxybenzoates, thimerosal, benzalkonium chloride (e.g., benzethonium chloride), methyl- and propyl-parabens, and sorbic acid. Suitable isotonic agents include, but are not limited to, sodium chloride, glycerin, and dextrose. Suitable buffering agents include, but are not limited to, phosphate and citrate. Suitable antioxidants are those as described herein, including bisulfite and sodium metabisulfite. Suitable local anesthetics include, but are not limited to, procaine hydrochloride. Suitable suspending and dispersing agents are those as described herein, including sodium carboxymethylcelluose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Suitable emulsifying agents are those described herein, including polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate 80, and triethanolamine oleate. Suitable sequestering or chelating agents include, but are not limited to EDTA. Suitable pH adjusting agents include, but are not limited to, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. Suitable complexing agents include, but are not limited to, cyclodextrins, including α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin, and sulfobutylether 7-β-cyclodextrin (CAPTISOL®, CyDex, Lenexa, Kans.).

When the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are formulated for multiple dosage administration, the multiple dosage parenteral formulations must contain an antimicrobial agent at bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentrations. All parenteral formulations must be sterile, as known and practiced in the art.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration are provided as ready-to-use sterile solutions. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are provided as sterile dry soluble products, including lyophilized powders and hypodermic tablets, to be reconstituted with a vehicle prior to use. In yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are provided as ready-to-use sterile suspensions. In yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are provided as sterile dry insoluble products to be reconstituted with a vehicle prior to use. In still another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are provided as ready-to-use sterile emulsions.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for parenteral administration can be formulated as immediate or modified release dosage forms, including delayed-, sustained, pulsed-, controlled, targeted-, and programmed-release forms.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for parenteral administration can be formulated as a suspension, solid, semi-solid, or thixotropic liquid, for administration as an implanted depot. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are dispersed in a solid inner matrix, which is surrounded by an outer polymeric membrane that is insoluble in body fluids but allows the active ingredient in the pharmaceutical compositions diffuse through.

Suitable inner matrixes include, but are not limited to, polymethylmethacrylate, polybutyl-methacrylate, plasticized or unplasticized polyvinylchloride, plasticized nylon, plasticized polyethylene terephthalate, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, silicone rubbers, polydimethylsiloxanes, silicone carbonate copolymers, hydrophilic polymers, such as hydrogels of esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid, collagen, cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, and cross-linked partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate.

Suitable outer polymeric membranes include but are not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene/propylene copolymers, ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, silicone rubbers, polydimethyl siloxanes, neoprene rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, vinyl chloride copolymers with vinyl acetate, vinylidene chloride, ethylene and propylene, ionomer polyethylene terephthalate, butyl rubber epichlorohydrin rubbers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, ethylene/vinyl acetate/vinyl alcohol terpolymer, and ethylene/vinyloxyethanol copolymer.

5.4.3. Topical Administration

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered topically to the skin, orifices, or mucosa. The topical administration, as used herein, includes (intra)dermal, conjunctival, intracorneal, intraocular, ophthalmic, auricular, transdermal, nasal, vaginal, urethral, respiratory, and rectal administration.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be formulated in any dosage forms that are suitable for topical administration for local or systemic effect, including emulsions, solutions, suspensions, creams, gels, hydrogels, ointments, dusting powders, dressings, elixirs, lotions, suspensions, tinctures, pastes, foams, films, aerosols, irrigations, sprays, suppositories, bandages, and dermal patches. The topical formulation of the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can also comprise liposomes, micelles, microspheres, nanosystems, and mixtures thereof.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients suitable for use in the topical formulations provided herein include, but are not limited to, aqueous vehicles, water-miscible vehicles, non-aqueous vehicles, antimicrobial agents or preservatives against the growth of microorganisms, stabilizers, solubility enhancers, isotonic agents, buffering agents, antioxidants, local anesthetics, suspending and dispersing agents, wetting or emulsifying agents, complexing agents, sequestering or chelating agents, penetration enhancers, cryoprotectants, lyoprotectants, thickening agents, and inert gases.

The pharmaceutical compositions can also be administered topically by electroporation, iontophoresis, phonophoresis, sonophoresis, or microneedle or needle-free injection, such as POWDERJECT™ (Chiron Corp., Emeryville, Calif.), and BIOJECT™ (Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., Tualatin, Oreg.).

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be provided in the forms of ointments, creams, and gels. Suitable ointment vehicles include oleaginous or hydrocarbon vehicles, including lard, benzoinated lard, olive oil, cottonseed oil, and other oils, white petrolatum; emulsifiable or absorption vehicles, such as hydrophilic petrolatum, hydroxystearin sulfate, and anhydrous lanolin; water-removable vehicles, such as hydrophilic ointment; water-soluble ointment vehicles, including polyethylene glycols of varying molecular weight; emulsion vehicles, either water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, including cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, lanolin, and stearic acid (see, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, supra). These vehicles are emollient but generally require addition of antioxidants and preservatives.

Suitable cream base can be oil-in-water or water-in-oil. Suitable cream vehicles may be water-washable, and contain an oil phase, an emulsifier, and an aqueous phase. The oil phase is also called the “internal” phase, which is generally comprised of petrolatum and a fatty alcohol such as cetyl or stearyl alcohol. The aqueous phase usually, although not necessarily, exceeds the oil phase in volume, and generally contains a humectant. The emulsifier in a cream formulation may be a nonionic, anionic, cationic, or amphoteric surfactant.

Gels are semisolid, suspension-type systems. Single-phase gels contain organic macromolecules distributed substantially uniformly throughout the liquid carrier. Suitable gelling agents include, but are not limited to, crosslinked acrylic acid polymers, such as carbomers, carboxypolyalkylenes, and CARBOPOL®; hydrophilic polymers, such as polyethylene oxides, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers, and polyvinylalcohol; cellulosic polymers, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, and methylcellulose; gums, such as tragacanth and xanthan gum; sodium alginate; and gelatin. In order to prepare a uniform gel, dispersing agents such as alcohol or glycerin can be added, or the gelling agent can be dispersed by trituration, mechanical mixing, and/or stirring.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered rectally, urethrally, vaginally, or perivaginally in the forms of suppositories, pessaries, bougies, poultices or cataplasm, pastes, powders, dressings, creams, plasters, contraceptives, ointments, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, tampons, gels, foams, sprays, or enemas. These dosage forms can be manufactured using conventional processes as described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, supra.

Rectal, urethral, and vaginal suppositories are solid bodies for insertion into body orifices, which are solid at ordinary temperatures but melt or soften at body temperature to release the active ingredient(s) inside the orifices. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers utilized in rectal and vaginal suppositories include bases or vehicles, such as stiffening agents, which produce a melting point in the proximity of body temperature, when formulated with the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein; and antioxidants as described herein, including bisulfite and sodium metabisulfite. Suitable vehicles include, but are not limited to, cocoa butter (theobroma oil), glycerin-gelatin, carbowax (polyoxyethylene glycol), spermaceti, paraffin, white and yellow wax, and appropriate mixtures of mono-, di- and triglycerides of fatty acids, and hydrogels, such as polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and polyacrylic acid. Combinations of the various vehicles can also be used. Rectal and vaginal suppositories may be prepared by compressing or molding. The typical weight of a rectal and vaginal suppository is about 2 to about 3 g.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered ophthalmically in the forms of solutions, suspensions, ointments, emulsions, gel-forming solutions, powders for solutions, gels, ocular inserts, and implants.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered intranasally or by inhalation to the respiratory tract. The pharmaceutical compositions can be provided in the form of an aerosol or solution for delivery using a pressurized container, pump, spray, atomizer, such as an atomizer using electrohydrodynamics to produce a fine mist, or nebulizer, alone or in combination with a suitable propellant, such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane. The pharmaceutical compositions can also be provided as a dry powder for insufflation, alone or in combination with an inert carrier such as lactose or phospholipids; and nasal drops. For intranasal use, the powder can comprise a bioadhesive agent, including chitosan or cyclodextrin.

Solutions or suspensions for use in a pressurized container, pump, spray, atomizer, or nebulizer can be formulated to contain ethanol, aqueous ethanol, or a suitable alternative agent for dispersing, solubilizing, or extending release of the active ingredient provided herein; a propellant as solvent; and/or a surfactant, such as sorbitan trioleate, oleic acid, or an oligolactic acid.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be micronized to a size suitable for delivery by inhalation, such as about 50 micrometers or less, or about 10 micrometers or less. Particles of such sizes can be prepared using a comminuting method known to those skilled in the art, such as spiral jet milling, fluid bed jet milling, supercritical fluid processing to form nanoparticles, high pressure homogenization, or spray drying.

Capsules, blisters, and cartridges for use in an inhaler or insufflator can be formulated to contain a powder mix of the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein; a suitable powder base, such as lactose or starch; and a performance modifier, such as l-leucine, mannitol, or magnesium stearate. The lactose may be anhydrous or in the form of the monohydrate. Other suitable excipients or carriers include, but are not limited to, dextran, glucose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, fructose, sucrose, and trehalose. The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for inhaled/intranasal administration can further comprise a suitable flavor, such as menthol and levomenthol; and/or sweeteners, such as saccharin and saccharin sodium.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for topical administration can be formulated to be immediate release or modified release, including delayed-, sustained-, pulsed-, controlled-, targeted, and programmed release.

5.4.4. Modified Release

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be formulated as a modified release dosage form. As used herein, the term “modified release” refers to a dosage form in which the rate or place of release of the active ingredient(s) is different from that of an immediate dosage form when administered by the same route. Modified release dosage forms include, but are not limited to, delayed-, extended-, prolonged-, sustained-, pulsatile-, controlled-, accelerated- and fast-, targeted-, programmed-release, and gastric retention dosage forms. The pharmaceutical compositions in modified release dosage forms can be prepared using a variety of modified release devices and methods known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, matrix controlled release devices, osmotic controlled release devices, multiparticulate controlled release devices, ion-exchange resins, enteric coatings, multilayered coatings, microspheres, liposomes, and combinations thereof. The release rate of the active ingredient(s) can also be modified by varying the particle sizes and polymorphorism of the active ingredient(s).

Examples of modified release include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; 4,008,719; 5,674,533; 5,059,595; 5,591,767; 5,120,548; 5,073,543; 5,639,476; 5,354,556; 5,639,480; 5,733,566; 5,739,108; 5,891,474; 5,922,356; 5,972,891; 5,980,945; 5,993,855; 6,045,830; 6,087,324; 6,113,943; 6,197,350; 6,248,363; 6,264,970; 6,267,981; 6,376,461; 6,419,961; 6,589,548; 6,613,358; and 6,699,500.

5.4.4.1. Matrix Controlled Release Devices

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein in a modified release dosage form can be fabricated using a matrix controlled release device known to those skilled in the art (see, Takada et al. in “Encyclopedia of Controlled Drug Delivery,” Vol. 2, Mathiowitz Ed., Wiley, 1999).

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein in a modified release dosage form is formulated using an erodible matrix device, which is water-swellable, erodible, or soluble polymers, including, but not limited to, synthetic polymers, and naturally occurring polymers and derivatives, such as polysaccharides and proteins.

Materials useful in forming an erodible matrix include, but are not limited to, chitin, chitosan, dextran, and pullulan; gum agar, gum arabic, gum karaya, locust bean gum, gum tragacanth, carrageenans, gum ghatti, guar gum, xanthan gum, and scleroglucan; starches, such as dextrin and maltodextrin; hydrophilic colloids, such as pectin; phosphatides, such as lecithin; alginates; propylene glycol alginate; gelatin; collagen; cellulosics, such as ethyl cellulose (EC), methylethyl cellulose (MEC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), CMEC, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose propionate (CP), cellulose butyrate (CB), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), CAP, CAT, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), HPMCP, HPMCAS, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate trimellitate (HPMCAT), and ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC); polyvinyl pyrrolidone; polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinyl acetate; glycerol fatty acid esters; polyacrylamide; polyacrylic acid; copolymers of ethacrylic acid or methacrylic acid (EUDRAGIT®, Rohm America, Inc., Piscataway, N.J.); poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate); polylactides; copolymers of L-glutamic acid and ethyl-L-glutamate; degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers; poly-D-(−)-3-hydroxybutyric acid; and other acrylic acid derivatives, such as homopolymers and copolymers of butylmethacrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, ethylacrylate, (2-dimethylaminoethyl)methacrylate, and (trimethylaminoethyl)methacrylate chloride.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are formulated with a non-erodible matrix device. The active ingredient(s) is dissolved or dispersed in an inert matrix and is released primarily by diffusion through the inert matrix once administered. Materials suitable for use as a non-erodible matrix device include, but are not limited to, insoluble plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisoprene, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, polymethylmethacrylate, polybutylmethacrylate, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, methyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/propylene copolymers, ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers, vinyl chloride copolymers with vinyl acetate, vinylidene chloride, ethylene and propylene, ionomer polyethylene terephthalate, butyl rubbers, epichlorohydrin rubbers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, ethylene/vinyl acetate/vinyl alcohol terpolymer, ethylene/vinyloxyethanol copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, plasticized nylon, plasticized polyethylene terephthalate, natural rubber, silicone rubbers, polydimethylsiloxanes, and silicone carbonate copolymers; hydrophilic polymers, such as ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, crospovidone, and cross-linked partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate; and fatty compounds, such as carnauba wax, microcrystalline wax, and triglycerides.

In a matrix controlled release system, the desired release kinetics can be controlled, for example, via the polymer type employed, the polymer viscosity, the particle sizes of the polymer and/or the active ingredient(s), the ratio of the active ingredient(s) versus the polymer, and other excipients or carriers in the compositions.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein in a modified release dosage form can be prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art, including direct compression, dry or wet granulation followed by compression, and melt-granulation followed by compression.

5.4.4.2. Osmotic Controlled Release Devices

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein in a modified release dosage form can be fabricated using an osmotic controlled release device, including, but not limited to, one-chamber system, two-chamber system, asymmetric membrane technology (AMT), and extruding core system (ECS). In general, such devices have at least two components: (a) a core which contains an active ingredient; and (b) a semipermeable membrane with at least one delivery port, which encapsulates the core. The semipermeable membrane controls the influx of water to the core from an aqueous environment of use so as to cause drug release by extrusion through the delivery port(s).

In addition to the active ingredient(s), the core of the osmotic device optionally includes an osmotic agent, which creates a driving force for transport of water from the environment of use into the core of the device. One class of osmotic agents is water-swellable hydrophilic polymers, which are also referred to as “osmopolymers” and “hydrogels.” Suitable water-swellable hydrophilic polymers as osmotic agents include, but are not limited to, hydrophilic vinyl and acrylic polymers, polysaccharides such as calcium alginate, polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(acrylic) acid, poly(methacrylic) acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), crosslinked PVP, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVA/PVP copolymers, PVA/PVP copolymers with hydrophobic monomers such as methyl methacrylate and vinyl acetate, hydrophilic polyurethanes containing large PEO blocks, sodium croscarmellose, carrageenan, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and carboxyethyl, cellulose (CEC), sodium alginate, polycarbophil, gelatin, xanthan gum, and sodium starch glycolate.

The other class of osmotic agents is osmogens, which are capable of imbibing water to affect an osmotic pressure gradient across the barrier of the surrounding coating. Suitable osmogens include, but are not limited to, inorganic salts, such as magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, lithium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium phosphates, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfite, lithium sulfate, potassium chloride, and sodium sulfate; sugars, such as dextrose, fructose, glucose, inositol, lactose, maltose, mannitol, raffinose, sorbitol, sucrose, trehalose, and xylitol; organic acids, such as ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, maleic acid, sebacic acid, sorbic acid, adipic acid, edetic acid, glutamic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid; urea; and mixtures thereof.

Osmotic agents of different dissolution rates can be employed to influence how rapidly the active ingredient(s) is initially delivered from the dosage form. For example, amorphous sugars, such as MANNOGEM™ EZ (SPI Pharma, Lewes, Del.) can be used to provide faster delivery during the first couple of hours to promptly produce the desired therapeutic effect, and gradually and continually release of the remaining amount to maintain the desired level of therapeutic or prophylactic effect over an extended period of time. In this case, the active ingredient(s) is released at such a rate to replace the amount of the active ingredient metabolized and excreted.

The core can also include a wide variety of other excipients and carriers as described herein to enhance the performance of the dosage form or to promote stability or processing.

Materials useful in forming the semipermeable membrane include various grades of acrylics, vinyls, ethers, polyamides, polyesters, and cellulosic derivatives that are water-permeable and water-insoluble at physiologically relevant pHs, or are susceptible to being rendered water-insoluble by chemical alteration, such as crosslinking. Examples of suitable polymers useful in forming the coating, include plasticized, unplasticized, and reinforced cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, CA propionate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), CA ethyl carbamate, CAP, CA methyl carbamate, CA succinate, cellulose acetate trimellitate (CAT), CA dimethylaminoacetate, CA ethyl carbonate, CA chloroacetate, CA ethyl oxalate, CA methyl sulfonate, CA butyl sulfonate, CA p-toluene sulfonate, agar acetate, amylose triacetate, beta glucan acetate, beta glucan triacetate, acetaldehyde dimethyl acetate, triacetate of locust bean gum, hydroxylated ethylene-vinylacetate, EC, PEG, PPG, PEG/PPG copolymers, PVP, HEC, HPC, CMC, CMEC, HPMC, HPMCP, HPMCAS, HPMCAT, poly(acrylic) acids and esters and poly-(methacrylic) acids and esters and copolymers thereof, starch, dextran, dextrin, chitosan, collagen, gelatin, polyalkenes, polyethers, polysulfones, polyethersulfones, polystyrenes, polyvinyl halides, polyvinyl esters and ethers, natural waxes, and synthetic waxes.

Semipermeable membrane can also be a hydrophobic microporous membrane, wherein the pores are substantially filled with a gas and are not wetted by the aqueous medium but are permeable to water vapor, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,119. Such hydrophobic but water-vapor permeable membrane are typically composed of hydrophobic polymers such as polyalkenes, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyacrylic acid derivatives, polyethers, polysulfones, polyethersulfones, polystyrenes, polyvinyl halides, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl esters and ethers, natural waxes, and synthetic waxes.

The delivery port(s) on the semipermeable membrane can be formed post-coating by mechanical or laser drilling. Delivery port(s) can also be formed in situ by erosion of a plug of water-soluble material or by rupture of a thinner portion of the membrane over an indentation in the core. In addition, delivery ports can be formed during coating process, as in the case of asymmetric membrane coatings of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,612,059 and 5,698,220.

The total amount of the active ingredient(s) released and the release rate can substantially by modulated via the thickness and porosity of the semipermeable membrane, the composition of the core, and the number, size, and position of the delivery ports.

The pharmaceutical compositions in an osmotic controlled-release dosage form can further comprise additional conventional excipients or carriers as described herein to promote performance or processing of the formulation.

The osmotic controlled-release dosage forms can be prepared according to conventional methods and techniques known to those skilled in the art (see, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, supra; Santus and Baker, J. Controlled Release 1995, 35, 1-21; Verma et al., Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy 2000, 26, 695-708; Verma et al., J. Controlled Release 2002, 79, 7-27).

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are formulated as AMT controlled-release dosage form, which comprises an asymmetric osmotic membrane that coats a core comprising the active ingredient(s) and other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers. See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,059 and WO 2002/17918. The AMT controlled-release dosage forms can be prepared according to conventional methods and techniques known to those skilled in the art, including direct compression, dry granulation, wet granulation, and a dip-coating method.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are formulated as ESC controlled-release dosage form, which comprises an osmotic membrane that coats a core comprising the active ingredient(s), a hydroxylethyl cellulose, and other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers.

5.4.4.3. Multiparticulate Controlled Release Devices

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein in a modified release dosage form can be fabricated as a multiparticulate controlled release device, which comprises a multiplicity of particles, granules, or pellets, ranging from about 10 μm to about 3 mm, about 50 μm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 100 μm to about 1 mm in diameter. Such multiparticulates can be made by the processes known to those skilled in the art, including wet- and dry-granulation, extrusion/spheronization, roller-compaction, melt-congealing, and by spray-coating seed cores. See, for example, Multiparticulate Oral Drug Delivery; Marcel Dekker: 1994; and Pharmaceutical Pelletization Technology; Marcel Dekker: 1989.

Other excipients or carriers as described herein can be blended with the pharmaceutical compositions to aid in processing and forming the multiparticulates. The resulting particles can themselves constitute the multiparticulate device or can be coated by various film-forming materials, such as enteric polymers, water-swellable, and water-soluble polymers. The multiparticulates can be further processed as a capsule or a tablet.

5.4.4.4. Targeted Delivery

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can also be formulated to be targeted to a particular tissue, receptor, or other area of the body of the subject to be treated, including liposome-, resealed erythrocyte-, and antibody-based delivery systems. Examples include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,316,652; 6,274,552; 6,271,359; 6,253,872; 6,139,865; 6,131,570; 6,120,751; 6,071,495; 6,060,082; 6,048,736; 6,039,975; 6,004,534; 5,985,307; 5,972,366; 5,900,252; 5,840,674; 5,759,542; and 5,709,874.

5.5. Articles of Manufacture

In one embodiment, the compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are provided as an article of manufacture using packaging materials well known to those of skill in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,323,907; 5,052,558; and 5,033,252. Examples of pharmaceutical packaging materials include, but are not limited to, blister packs, bottles, tubes, inhalers, pumps, bags, vials, containers, syringes, and any packaging material suitable for a selected formulation and intended mode of administration and treatment.

In another embodiment, provided herein are kits which, when used by the medical practitioner, can simplify the administration of appropriate amounts of active ingredients to a subject. In certain embodiments, the kit provided herein includes a container and a dosage form of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the kit includes a container comprising a dosage form of the compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, or prodrug thereof, in a container comprising one or more other therapeutic agent(s) described herein.

Kits provided herein can further include devices that are used to administer the active ingredients. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, syringes, needle-less injectors drip bags, patches, and inhalers. The kits provided herein can also include condoms for administration of the active ingredients.

Kits provided herein can further include pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles that can be used to administer one or more active ingredients. For example, if an active ingredient is provided in a solid form that must be reconstituted for parenteral administration, the kit can comprise a sealed container of a suitable vehicle in which the active ingredient can be dissolved to form a particulate-free sterile solution that is suitable for parenteral administration. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles include, but are not limited to: aqueous vehicles, including, but not limited to, Water for Injection USP, Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer's Injection; water-miscible vehicles, including, but not limited to, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and non-aqueous vehicles, including, but not limited to, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.

5.6. Methods of Treatment

In one embodiment, provided herein is a method for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of diabetes or neurodegeneration in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

In yet another embodiment, provided herein is a method for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of diabetes in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof. In one embodiment, the diabetes is type 1. In one embodiment, the diabetes is type 2.

In yet another embodiment, provided herein is a method for increasing glucose tolerance in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for treating a neurological or neurodegenerative disorder in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of one or more compounds of formula I.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions for treating a neurological or neurodegenerative disorder comprising one or more compounds of formula I.

In some embodiments, the neurological or neurodegenerative disorder is Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, fronto-temporal dementia, Pick's disease, chronic traumatic encepholopathy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebellar ataxia, multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome, or an aging-related CNS disorder. In some embodiments, the neurological or neurodegenerative disorder is Alzheimer's disease.

In certain embodiments, the subject is a mammal. In certain embodiments, the subject is a human. In certain embodiments, the subject is a primate other than a human, a farm animal such as cattle, a sport animal, or a pet such as a horse, dog, or cat.

In the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of the disorders, diseases, or conditions described herein, an appropriate dosage level generally is ranging from about 0.001 to 100 mg per kg subject body weight per day (mg/kg per day), from about 0.01 to about 75 mg/kg per day, from about 0.1 to about 50 mg/kg per day, from about 0.5 to about 25 mg/kg per day, or from about 1 to about 20 mg/kg per day, which can be administered in single or multiple doses. Within this range, the dosage can be ranging from about 0.005 to about 0.05, from about 0.05 to about 0.5, from about 0.5 to about 5.0, from about 1 to about 15, from about 1 to about 20, or from about 1 to about 50 mg/kg per day.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be formulated in the form of tablets containing from about 1.0 to about 1,000 mg of the active ingredient, in one embodiment, about 1, about 5, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 50, about 75, about 100, about 150, about 200, about 250, about 300, about 400, about 500, about 600, about 750, about 800, about 900, and about 1,000 mg of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, including once, twice, three times, and four times per day.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular patient can be varied and will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity of the particular condition, and the host undergoing therapy.

In one embodiment, provided herein is a method for reducing stress in an ER, comprising contacting the ER with an effective amount of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof. In one embodiment, the ER stress is resulted from the perturbation of ER Ca²⁺ homeostasis.

In yet another embodiment, provided herein is a method for restoring or maintaining calcium ion homeostasis in an ER, comprising contacting the ER with an effective amount of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

In yet another embodiment, provided herein is a method for increasing the Ca²⁺ concentration of an ER, comprising contacting the ER with an effective amount of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

In yet another embodiment, provided herein is a method for modulating the activity of a SERCA, comprising contacting the SERCA with an effective amount of a compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA1. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA2. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA3.

In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA1a. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA1b. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA2a. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA2b. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA3a. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA3b. In certain embodiments, the SERCA is SERCA3c.

The compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof; can also be combined or used in combination with other agents or therapies useful in the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of the disorders, diseases, or conditions for which the compounds provided herein are useful.

Suitable other therapeutic agents can also include, but are not limited to, (1) alpha-adrenergic agents; (2) antiarrhythmic agents; (3) anti-atherosclerotic agents, such as ACAT inhibitors; (4) antibiotics, such as anthracyclines, bleomycins, mitomycin, dactinomycin, and plicamycin; (5) anticancer agents and cytotoxic agents, e.g., alkylating agents, such as nitrogen mustards, alkyl sulfonates, nitrosoureas, ethylenimines, and triazenes; (6) anticoagulants, such as acenocoumarol, argatroban, bivalirudin, lepirudin, fondaparinux, heparin, phenindione, warfarin, and ximelagatran; (7) anti-diabetic agents, such as biguanides (e.g., metformin), glucosidase inhibitors (e.g., acarbose), insulins, meglitinides (e.g., repaglinide), sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride, glyburide, and glipizide), thiozolidinediones (e.g., troglitazone, rosiglitazone, and pioglitazone), and PPAR-gamma agonists; (8) antifungal agents, such as amorolfine, amphotericin B, anidulafungin, bifonazole, butenafine, butoconazole, caspofungin, ciclopirox, clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole, filipin, fluconazole, isoconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, micafungin, miconazole, naftifine, natamycin, nystatin, oxyconazole, ravuconazole, posaconazole, rimocidin, sertaconazole, sulconazole, terbinafine, terconazole, tioconazole, and voriconazole; (9) antiinflammatories, e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, such as aceclofenac, acemetacin, amoxiprin, aspirin, azapropazone, benorilate, bromfenac, carprofen, celecoxib, choline magnesium salicylate, diclofenac, diflunisal, etodolac, etoricoxib, faislamine, fenbufen, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indometacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, lornoxicam, loxoprofen, lumiracoxib, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, meloxicam, metamizole, methyl salicylate, magnesium salicylate, nabumetone, naproxen, nimesulide, oxyphenbutazone, parecoxib, phenylbutazone, piroxicam, salicyl salicylate, sulindac, sulfinpyrazone, suprofen, tenoxicam, tiaprofenic acid, and tolmetin; (10) antimetabolites, such as folate antagonists, purine analogues, and pyrimidine analogues; (11) anti-platelet agents, such as GPIIb/IIIa blockers (e.g., abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban), P2Y(AC) antagonists (e.g., clopidogrel, ticlopidine and CS-747), cilostazol, dipyridamole, and aspirin; (12) antiproliferatives, such as methotrexate, FK506 (tacrolimus), and mycophenolate mofetil; (13) anti-TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor, such as etanercept, rapamycin, and leflunimide; (14) aP2 inhibitors; (15) beta-adrenergic agents, such as carvedilol and metoprolol; (16) bile acid sequestrants, such as questran; (17) calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine besylate; (18) chemotherapeutic agents; (19) cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, such as celecoxib and rofecoxib; (20) cyclosporins; (21) cytotoxic drugs, such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide; (22) diuretics, such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, flumethiazide, hydroflumethiazide, bendroflumethiazide, methylchlorothiazide, trichloromethiazide, polythiazide, benzothiazide, ethacrynic acid, ticrynafen, chlorthalidone, furosenide, muzolimine, bumetanide, triamterene, amiloride, and spironolactone; (23) endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitors, such as phosphoramidon; (24) enzymes, such as L-asparaginase; (25) Factor VIIa Inhibitors and Factor Xa Inhibitors; (26) farnesyl-protein transferase inhibitors; (27) fibrates; (28) growth factor inhibitors, such as modulators of PDGF activity; (29) growth hormone secretagogues; (30) HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, such as pravastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, NK-104 (a.k.a. itavastatin, nisvastatin, or nisbastatin), and ZD-4522 (also known as rosuvastatin, atavastatin, or visastatin); neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors; (31) hormonal agents, such as glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisone), estrogens/antiestrogens, androgens/antiandrogens, progestins, and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonists, and octreotide acetate; (32) immunosuppressants; (33) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, such as spironolactone and eplerenone; (34) microtubule-disruptor agents, such as ecteinascidins; (35) microtubule-stabilizing agents, such as pacitaxel, docetaxel, and epothilones A-F; (36) MTP Inhibitors; (37) niacin; (38) phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as PDE III inhibitors (e.g., cilostazol) and PDE V inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil); (39) plant-derived products, such as vinca alkaloids, epipodophyllotoxins, and taxanes; (40) platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists; (41) platinum coordination complexes, such as cisplatin, satraplatin, and carboplatin; (42) potassium channel openers; (43) prenyl-protein transferase inhibitors; (44) protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors; (45) renin inhibitors; (46) squalene synthetase inhibitors; (47) steroids, such as aldosterone, beclometasone, betamethasone, deoxycorticosterone acetate, fludrocortisone, hydrocortisone (cortisol), prednisolone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, and triamcinolone; (48) TNF-alpha inhibitors, such as tenidap; (49) thrombin inhibitors, such as hirudin; (50) thrombolytic agents, such as anistreplase, reteplase, tenecteplase, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), recombinant tPA, streptokinase, urokinase, prourokinase, and anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (APSAC); (51) thromboxane receptor antagonists, such as ifetroban; (52) topoisomerase inhibitors; (53) vasopeptidase inhibitors (dual NEP-ACE inhibitors), such as omapatrilat and gemopatrilat; and (54) other miscellaneous agents, such as, hydroxyurea, procarbazine, mitotane, hexamethylmelamine, and gold compounds.

In certain embodiments, the other therapies that may be used in combination with the compounds provided herein include, but are not limited to, surgery, endocrine therapy, biologic response modifiers (e.g., interferons, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)), hyperthermia and cryotherapy, and agents to attenuate any adverse effects (e.g., antiemetics).

Such other agents, or drugs, can be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, simultaneously or sequentially with the compound provided herein, e.g., a compound of Formula I, or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, or prodrug thereof. When a compound provided herein is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition containing such other drugs in addition to the compound provided herein can be utilized, but is not required. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein include those that also contain one or more other active ingredients or therapeutic agents, in addition to a compound provided herein.

6. EXAMPLES

The disclosure will be further understood by the following non-limiting examples.

As used herein, the symbols and conventions used in these processes, schemes and examples, regardless of whether a particular abbreviation is specifically defined, are consistent with those used in the contemporary scientific literature, for example, the Journal of the American Chemical Society or the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Specifically, but without limitation, the following abbreviations may be used in the examples and throughout the specification: g (grams); mg (milligrams); mL (milliliters); μL (microliters); M (molar); mM (millimolar); μM (micromolar); mol (moles); mmol (millimoles); hr or hrs (hour or hours); and min (minutes).

For all of the following examples, standard procedures and methods known to those skilled in the art can be utilized. Unless otherwise indicated, all temperatures are expressed in ° C. (degrees Centigrade). All procedures are conducted at room temperature unless otherwise noted.

6.1. Biological Assays

6.1.1. Cell Survival Assay

CSM14.1 neuronal cells were maintained in Complete Medium at 32° C.; wherein the Complete Medium contained Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FSB), 1% L-glutamine, 100 IU/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin. The cells were recovered from cultures by trypsinization and then seeded in 384 well plates (Greiner #781098) at a concentration of 1,000 cells/well in 20 μL of DMEM Assay Medium, wherein the DMEM Assay Medium contained 2% FBS, 100 IU/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin. Seeding was performed using a MultiDrop Combi reagent broadcaster. The plates were incubated overnight at 32° C. A test compound was prepared by 2-fold serial dilution in 100% DMSO using a BIOMEK® 2000 liquid handler (Beckman Coulter). A dose-response curve containing 10 concentrations of the test compound was obtained. Using a BIOMEK® FX liquid handler (Beckman Coulter), 2.5 μL of the test compound was transferred from the 100% DMSO serial dilution plate to an intermediate plate containing 47.5 μL of DMEM Assay Medium containing 2% FBS, 100 IU/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin and mixed. To reduce or eliminate the interference from the compound's precipitation, 6 μL of the diluted compound was immediately transferred to the assay plate to achieve a high compound concentration of 100 μM in 99% DMEM Assay Medium and 1% DMSO. After the assay plates were incubated for 2 hrs, 4 μL of 112.5 μM thapsigargin (TG) (DMSO stock diluted into Assay TC Medium) was dispensed into each testing well with a MultiDrop Combi reagent broadcaster for a final concentration of about 15 μM TG. The tissue culture media (4 μL) containing vehicle only was transferred manually to each control cell using a 16 channel electronic pipette. After the plates were incubated overnight (about 16 to 24 hrs), CELLTITER-GLO® (Promega) (16 μL) was added to all wells and luminescence was measured. High luminescence indicates cell survival. The biological results are summarized in Table 1 where A represents a cell viability EC₅₀ less than 1 μM and B represents a value greater than 1 μM and less than 10 μM.

TABLE 1 Cmpd. Cell Survival EC₅₀ B1 B B2 B B3 B B4 A

6.1.2. Cell Rescue Assays

Protection against Thapsigargin (TG)-induced Cell-death. Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) with 10% FBS and 1% antibiotic antimycotic solution (ABAM). Mouse neuroblastoma (N2a) cells were grown in 1:1 DMEM:OPTI-MEM® with 5% FBS and 1% ABAM. All cells were grown in 10% CO₂ in a humidified environment of the incubator. Cells grown in 96-well plates were exposed to a test compound (20 μM) for 2 hrs before addition of thapsigargin (15 μM for HEK293 cells and 1 μM for N2a cells) to induce ER stress. After incubation in cell-culture incubator for 24 hrs, ALAMARBLUE® regent (10% v/v) was added to the wells. Fluorescence reading was taken 2 hrs after the addition of the ALAMARBLUE® regent. Cell-viability was calculated as a percentage of relative fluorescence unit (RFU) compared to control. Vehicle-treated control cells showed similar viability as that of untreated cells. The biological results are summarized in Table 2, where each compound was tested at 20 μM and where A represents a viability greater than 50%, B represents a viability greather than 10% and less than 50%, C represents a value below 10%.

TABLE 2 Cmpd. Cell Survival % B1 B B2 B B3 A B4 A

Protection against ß-amyloid-induced cell toxicity. Chonpathompikunlert et al. Eu. J. Pharmacol. 2011, 650, 544-549. Human SH-SY5Y cells are suspended in media containing 2% FBS and 2× Gentamicin. Transfer 100 ul/well culture to 96-well plate (20,000 cells/well; passage #5) and incubate overnight. Prepare compound samples at 30 uM. Add 50 ul of the samples to the cells [concentration of compounds 10 uM] and incubate 3 hours. Make stock of 40 uM AB1-42 peptide in assay media. Transfer 50 ul/well to cells/compounds in assay plate. The final assay volume is 200 ul/well, containing 2% FBS, 2× Gentamicin, 7.5 uM compound and AB1-42 at 10 uM. Incubate for 4 days then add 20 ul of Promega Substrate Cell Titer 96 Aqueous One Solution Reagent to each well. Incubate 37° C. and read OD at 490 nm. The results are summarized in Table 3, where A represents a value greater than 50% cell rescue, B represents a value greater than 10% and less than 50% cell rescue, and C represents a value greater than 1% and less than 10% cell rescue.

TABLE 3 Cmpd. Cell Survival % B1 B B2 A B3 C B4 A

6.1.3. Ca-ATPase Assay

A Ca-ATPase assay was performed using microsomal preparations from HEK 293 cells at a series of calcium concentrations corresponding to the physiological range, relative to controls. The ATP hydrolysis rate was measured over a range of calcium concentrations in the presence of test compounds using an NADH-linked, enzyme-coupled ATPase assay adapted for 96-well microplates, with V_(max) determined by fitting the ATPase calcium-dependence to the Hill function. Each well contained 2 μg or 7 μg of SR vesicles (optimized for skeletal or cardiac SR, respectively), 50 mM MOPS (pH 7.0), 100 mM KCl, 5 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM EGTA, 0.2 mM NADH, 1 mM phosphoenol pyruvate, 5 IU pyruvate kinase, 5 IU lactate dehydrogenase, and 3.5 μg/mL A23187 (a calcium ionophore). CaCl₂ was added to set free [Ca²⁺] to the specific values. The assay was started upon addition of ATP at a final concentration of 5 mM, and read in a SpectraMax Plus microplate spectrophotometer. The results are summarized in Table 4, where A represents an increase in SERCA Vmax greater than 50% and B represents a value greater than 10% and less than 50%.

TABLE 4 SERCA Vmax Cmpd. Increase B1 A B2 B B3 C B4 A

6.1.4. Determination of the Effect of a SERCA Agonist on the Level of Blood Glucose

Ob/ob mice (10 weeks old, n=7) were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 100 μL of a solution containing 0 (vehicle) or 50 mg/kg of a test compound once a day for a total of 5 days. Fasting glucose was measured at baseline and 4 days after the administration of the test compound. Glucose levels were measured in blood samples drawn from the tail vein using a handheld glucose sensor. Compound effects on blood glucose are shown in Table 5 where A represents a 10-20% reduction in blood glucose, B represents a 21-30% reduction in blood glucose, and C represents a greater than 30% reduction in blood glucose levels.

TABLE 5 Glucose level Cmpd. reduction B1 B B2 B B3 A B4 C

6.2. Compound Synthesis 6.2.1. 3-(4-Bromothienyl-2-yl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B3

3-(4-Bromothienyl-2-yl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B3 was synthesized as shown in Scheme 2.

A mixture of 4-bromothiophene-2-carbaldehyde, NH₂OH.HCl, and K₂CO₃ in EtOH was refluxed overnight to form an oxime. The oxime was then dissolved in SOCl₂ and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs to yield crude 4-bromothiophene-2-carbonitrile. The crude 4-bromothiophene-2-carbonitrile was treated with NH₂OH.HCl in the presence of Et₃N in EtOH at reflux overnight to form 4-bromo-N-hydroxythiophene-2-carboximidamide. The reaction was complete as followed by LC/MS. The 4-bromo-N-hydroxythiophene-2-carboximidamide (1 eq.) was coupled subsequently with 2-methylquinoline-8-carboxylic acid (1 eq.) in the presence of CDI (1.2 eq.) and Et₃N (1 eq.) in DMF. The coupling was monitored by LC/MS. After the reaction was complete, acetic acid was charged and the mixture was fluxed overnight. After the reaction was complete, the desired compound, 3-(4-bromothienyl-2-yl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B3 (100 mg), was purified via TLC and obtained in 30% yield.

6.2.2. 3-(4-Isopropoxyphenyl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B1

3-(4-Isopropoxyphenyl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B1 was synthesized according to the procedure as described for compound B3. 4-Isopropoxy-benzaldehyde (1.0 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1.5 mmol), and potassium carbonate (2.0 mmol) were dissolved in anhydrous ethanol and heated to reflux overnight. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate. The oxime was isolated via evaporation of organic solvents. The residue was dissolved in thionyl chloride (5 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. After evaporation of excess thionyl chloride, the crude nitrile was obtained. This product was dissolved in ethanol and treated with 3 equivalents each of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and triethylamine, and heated to reflux overnight. This resulting oxime was isolated by extraction into ethyl acetate, and subsequently evaporated. The oxime was dissolved in dimethylformamide and treated with 1.5 equivalents of carbonyl diimidazole, 1.5 equivalents of triethylamine, and 1.2 equivalents of 2-methylquinoline-8-carboxylic acid. After 5 hrs, acetic acid (2 mL) was added and the mixture was heated at reflux overnight. Evaporation of solvents afforded a residue that was purified by preparative reverse-phase HPLC using a water-acetonitrile gradient to afford the desired 3-(4-isopropoxyphenyl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B1.

6.2.3. 3-(5-Bromothiophen-2-yl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B2

3-(5-Bromothiophen-2-yl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B2 was synthesized according to the procedure as described for compound B3. 5-Bromo-2-formylthiophene (1.0 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1.5 mmol), and potassium carbonate (2.0 mmol) were dissolved in anhydrous ethanol and heated to reflux overnight. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate. The oxime was isolated via evaporation of organic solvents, and the residue was dissolved in thionyl chloride (5 mL), and stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. After evaporation of excess thionyl chloride, the crude nitrile was obtained. This product was dissolved in ethanol and treated with 3 equivalents each of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and triethylamine and heated to reflux overnight. This resulting oxime was isolated by extraction into ethyl acetate, and subsequently evaporated. The oxime was dissolved in dimethylformamide and treated with 1.5 equivalents of carbonyl diimidazole, 1.5 equivalents of triethylamine, and 1.2 equivalents of 2-methylquinoline-8-carboxylic acid. After 5 hrs, acetic acid (2 mL) was added and the mixture was heated at reflux overnight. Evaporation of solvents afforded a residue that was purified by preparative reverse-phase HPLC using a water-acetonitrile gradient to afford the desired 3-(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B2.

6.2.4. 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B4

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B4 was synthesized according to the procedure as described for compound B3. 4-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1.0 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1.5 mmol), and potassium carbonate (2.0 mmol) were dissolved in anhydrous ethanol and heated to reflux overnight. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate. The oxime was isolated via evaporation of organic solvents. The residue was dissolved in thionyl chloride (5 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. After evaporation of excess thionyl chloride, the crude nitrile was obtained. This product was dissolved in ethanol and treated with 3 equivalents each of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and triethylamine, and heated to reflux overnight. This resulting oxime was isolated by extraction into ethyl acetate, and subsequently evaporated. The oxime was dissolved in dimethylformamide and treated with 1.5 equivalents of carbonyl diimidazole, 1.5 equivalents of triethylamine, and 1.2 equivalents of 2-methylquinoline-8-carboxylic acid. After 5 hrs, acetic acid (2 mL) was added and the mixture was heated at reflux overnight. Evaporation of solvents afforded a residue that was purified by preparative reverse-phase HPLC using a water-acetonitrile gradient to afford the desired 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole B4.

The examples set forth above are provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the claimed embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of what is disclosed herein. Modifications that are obvious to persons of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference as if each such publication, patent or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. 

What is claimed:
 1. A compound of Formula I:

or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof; wherein: R² is methyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are each independently (a) hydrogen, cyano, or halo or (b) C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl with the proviso that R³ and R⁷ are not concurrently C₁; and R¹ is aryl or heteroaryl.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are hydrogen.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R¹ is mono or disubstituted phenyl or 2-thienyl.
 4. The compound according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of:


5. A method for treating a neurological or neurodegenerative disorder in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound of Formula I:

or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof; wherein: R² is methyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are each independently (a) hydrogen, cyano, or halo or (b) C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl with the proviso that R³ and R⁷ are not concurrently C₁; and R¹ is aryl or heteroaryl.
 6. A method for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of diabetes in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the compound Formula I:

or an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a mixture of two or more diastereomers, or an isotopic variant thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof; wherein: R² is methyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are each independently (a) hydrogen, cyano, or halo or (b) C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl with the proviso that R³ and R⁷ are not concurrently Cl; and R¹ is aryl or heteroaryl.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the neurological or neurodegenerative disorder is Alzheimer's disease.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the neurological or neurodegenerative disorder is Parkinson's disease.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the diabetes is type
 1. 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the diabetes is type
 2. 11. The method of claim 5 wherein the compound is selected from the following:


12. The method of claim 6 wherein the compound is selected from the following: 